somnolent

adjective

som·​no·​lent ˈsäm-nə-lənt 

1

: of a kind likely to induce sleep

a somnolent sermon

2

a

: inclined to or heavy with sleep : drowsy

b

: sleepy sense 2

somnolent rivers

somnolently adverb

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The Sleepy History of Somnolent

Somnolent first appeared in the late 15th century in the redundant phrase "somnolent sleep." It came into English by way of Anglo-French from the Latin word somnolentus, which itself comes from somnus, meaning "sleep." Another offspring of somnus is somnambulism, a synonym of sleepwalking. Insomnia is also a member of this sleepy word family, though it might be considered the black sheep, since it means, of course, "the inability to sleep."

Synonyms

• dozy
• drowsy
• sleepy
• slumberous
• slumbrous

Examples of somnolent in a Sentence

trying to teach somnolent students on a very hot day

the somnolent hum of insects in the grass

Recent Examples on the Web

Returning to the somnolent complacency of years past is not an option. —Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019

Neuroscientists have long had an explanation for our somnolent twitches. —Amanda Gefter, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023

Democrats are walking around in some state of somnolent indifference about Joe Biden. —Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 26 June 2023

At Edgewood Tahoe, guest-room TVs show scenic views of Lake Tahoe behind a somnolent custom soundtrack by Sleepy Podcast host Otis Gray reading poetry by Robert Frost. —Jon Marcus, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sompnolent, from Anglo-French, from Latin somnolentus, from somnus sleep; akin to Old English swefn sleep, Greek hypnos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

somnolent

adjective

som·​no·​lent ˈsäm-nə-lənt 

: showing signs of not being fully awake

Medical Definition

somnolent

adjective

som·​no·​lent -lənt 

: inclined to or heavy with sleep : drowsy